The project is based on a responsible consumption of materials. The project is certified level 3 for Bio-sourced materials, thanks to the use of more than 1,400 m3 of timber, and more than 100 m3 of Fermacell gypsum fibre panels. Subject to a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), the Hypérion tower concentrates the equivalent of 1,000 tonnes of CO₂, which equates to a volume comparable to 9 years of energy consumption for this type of residential building. Over the entire lifespan of the building, the project will economise nearly 15 tonnes of CO₂ per dwelling.

In terms of the responsible consumption of materials, the wood being used complies with eco-responsible labels and comes mainly from forests in the local Nouvelle Aquitaine area. A forest source label certified by Product DNA ensures traceability, essential for an accurate calculation of carbon footprint, from logging in the forest to supply at the construction site.

As part of the Sekoya digital platform set up by Eiffage and dedicated to innovation and the identification of low-carbon materials and processes, the Circouleur start-up company located in Blanquefort (Gironde) has been contracted by the Group. Circouleur, which produces eco-responsible paints using recycled materials and paint products, is contributing the Hypérion project, helping to meet BBCA standards.

The project is contributing to the social and economic development of the local area. The building’s wooden structure is stimulating economic development in the timber industry, particularly through the supply of timber from regional forests. The prefabricated construction of the 141 bespoke balconies was carried out by a local company.

Savare, which joined Eiffage Construction in 2018 bringing its expertise in the industrialised manufacture of wooden components, produced the timber-framed walls for the Hypérion tower. It continues to manufacture for new timber construction markets and is therefore contributing to reindustrialisation within France.

Prefabricated bathrooms manufactured by Eiffage Construction (Wa’ood brand), which also contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of construction, have been installed in parts of the development.

Finally, in accordance with the transformation of our business lines, Eiffage site workers have received specific training in woodworking professions.

Eiffage Immobilier also supported the Cré’Atlantique Fund as part of this project, in order to sustain creativity in the local area, provide access to art for as many people as possible and contribute to the development of sustainable economic models in the creative sectors. This initiative supports public action in favour of art and economic development within the region.

The project takes into consideration the most vulnerable populations. An integration clause has been signed between Eiffage Immobilier Sud-Ouest and the Bordeaux Employment Centre (Maison de l’Emploi), whose mission is to be active in the  local area, coordinate initiatives in terms of access to employment and establish relationships between local employment and integration stakeholders, to provide a value-added service for businesses and job-seekers.

The project has not been reproduced in an identical form as yet, however the experiments and expertise developed feed into other current low-carbon construction projects.

Prefabricated construction, including timber-framed walls, balconies, and prefabricated low-carbon bathrooms (Wa’ood brand) manufactured at the Eiffage Construction Industries factory in Fresnay-sur-Sarthe (Sarthe) on an industrial scale, make it easy to reproduce this type of construction. Furthermore, the investment grant awarded by Ademe is intended to enable reproduction of the design of this project, with a view to increasing the number of wood-based collective housing developments.

Contracting authority: Eiffage Immobilier Sud-Ouest

Project management: Viguier Architecture Urbanisme Paysage

Associated partners:

Socotec – building control office

CETAB – fluids consulting

Aïda – acoustics consulting

Terrel – structural consulting

Woodeum – project management assistance